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Art in the Life of Mathematicians

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Edited by Anna Kepes Szemerédi

Why are mathematicians drawn to art? How do they perceive it? What
motivates them to pursue excellence in music or painting? Do they view
their art as a conveyance for their mathematics or an escape from it?
What are the similarities between mathematical talent and creativity
and their artistic equivalents? What are the differences? Can a
theatrical play or a visual image capture the beauty and excitement of
mathematics? Some of the world's top mathematicians are also
accomplished artists: musicians, photographers, painters, dancers,
writers, filmmakers. In this volume, they share some of their work and
reflect on the roles that mathematics and art have played in their
lives. They write about creativity, communication, making connections,
negotiating successes and failures, and navigating the vastly
different professional worlds of art and mathematics.

I have always admired the abstraction ability
of composers. The ingenious construction of beautiful patterns that
can evoke such powerful emotions seems nothing short of magical. While
mathematicians too construct beautiful patterns, I fear that few
outside the math community appreciate that beauty or find any magic in
it. I hope that this wonderful collection of articles, written by
mathematicians who are themselves artists, will help better explain
the many varied connections between mathematics and the arts, and
illuminate better the beauty and magic in math.

—Avi Wigderson, Institute for Advanced
Study, Princeton

Much has been written about the close
relationship of mathematics and music. It is a rather one-sided affair
because mathematicians are usually very musical while
musicians—including myself—are considerably less knowledgeable on
matters of science. However we are all eager to learn from each other
and the present volume is a most valuable contribution to this
interesting dialogue.

—Sir Andras Schiff, pianist and
conductor

Creativity, Originality and Imagination are
three common features of mathematicians and artists. This inspiring
book contains much more about the similarities between art and
mathematics, as described by outstanding mathematicians with a wide
range of artistic interests.

—Noga Alon, Tel Aviv University

Mathematics and art are intertwined on so many
levels… It is exciting to see such a broad treatment of this
important theme.

Readership

Undergraduate and graduate students as well as research
mathematicians interested in relations of mathematics and art.

Reviews & Endorsements

This is a rich,
varied, and fascinating book. I urge anyone who is interested in both
art and mathematics to read it. Or, if you are just interested in
mathematics, this book could kindle an interest in art. And vice
versa... Ultimately, art and mathematics have very similar goals:
understanding the world around us more deeply, exploring new means of
expressing ourselves.

Why are mathematicians drawn to art? How do they perceive it? What
motivates them to pursue excellence in music or painting? Do they view
their art as a conveyance for their mathematics or an escape from it?
What are the similarities between mathematical talent and creativity
and their artistic equivalents? What are the differences? Can a
theatrical play or a visual image capture the beauty and excitement of
mathematics? Some of the world's top mathematicians are also
accomplished artists: musicians, photographers, painters, dancers,
writers, filmmakers. In this volume, they share some of their work and
reflect on the roles that mathematics and art have played in their
lives. They write about creativity, communication, making connections,
negotiating successes and failures, and navigating the vastly
different professional worlds of art and mathematics.

I have always admired the abstraction ability
of composers. The ingenious construction of beautiful patterns that
can evoke such powerful emotions seems nothing short of magical. While
mathematicians too construct beautiful patterns, I fear that few
outside the math community appreciate that beauty or find any magic in
it. I hope that this wonderful collection of articles, written by
mathematicians who are themselves artists, will help better explain
the many varied connections between mathematics and the arts, and
illuminate better the beauty and magic in math.

—Avi Wigderson, Institute for Advanced
Study, Princeton

Much has been written about the close
relationship of mathematics and music. It is a rather one-sided affair
because mathematicians are usually very musical while
musicians—including myself—are considerably less knowledgeable on
matters of science. However we are all eager to learn from each other
and the present volume is a most valuable contribution to this
interesting dialogue.

—Sir Andras Schiff, pianist and
conductor

Creativity, Originality and Imagination are
three common features of mathematicians and artists. This inspiring
book contains much more about the similarities between art and
mathematics, as described by outstanding mathematicians with a wide
range of artistic interests.

—Noga Alon, Tel Aviv University

Mathematics and art are intertwined on so many
levels… It is exciting to see such a broad treatment of this
important theme.

Undergraduate and graduate students as well as research
mathematicians interested in relations of mathematics and art.

Reviews:

This is a rich,
varied, and fascinating book. I urge anyone who is interested in both
art and mathematics to read it. Or, if you are just interested in
mathematics, this book could kindle an interest in art. And vice
versa... Ultimately, art and mathematics have very similar goals:
understanding the world around us more deeply, exploring new means of
expressing ourselves.